Machine for charging and discharging gas-retorts.



H. A. CARPENTER & R, L. HIBBARD. MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGINGGAS RETORTS.

APPLICATIQN FILED QCT. s. 1914.

1,149,631" Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

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MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING GAS RETORTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3, 1914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H.- A. CARPENTER & R. L. HIBBARD. MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGINGGAS RETORTS. 5 APPLicAnoN FILED .01.3. 191.4. 1,149,631, Patented Aug.10, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET s.

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If- H. A. CARPENTER & R. L. HIBBARD. CHINEFOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGINGGAS RETORTS.

APPLICATIOM Eluig cT. $19M- 4 31 Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

a SHEETS-SHEET 4.

H. A. CARPENTER an. L. mas/m4). v MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGINGGAS RETORTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. I914.

Patented Aug, 10, 1915.

1 l49 SL H. A. CARPENTER & R. L. HIBBARD.

MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING GAS RETORTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. I914.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

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FIG'JZ.

H. A. CARPENTER & L. HIB'BARD. MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING GASHETORTS.

APPLICATION FILED UCT. 3. |9|4. 1,149,631. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

v 9 snsns suan 2.

f'liil 626' W APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3, 191-4.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

H. A. CARPENTER & R. L. HIBBARD.

MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING GAS RETORTS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. 19M.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

9 SHEETSSHEET 9.

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HENRY A. CARPENTER AND ROBERT L. HIBBARD, OF SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORS TO RITER-CONLEY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENN-SYLVANIA, A CORPORATION NEW JERSEY. fi

MACHINE FOR CHARGING AND DISCHARGING- GAS-RETORTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. to, rare.

Original application filed November 29, 1909, Serial No. 530,383.Divided and this application filed October 3, 1914. Serial No. 864.787.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HENRY A. CARPEN-- anelectric substantially automatically oper-.

ated machine for charging and discharging horizontally disposed gasretorts. \Ve accomplish this object by means of the device hereinafterfully described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,forming part hereof, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of the side ofthe machine farthest removed from the retort bench herein called an endelevation; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the portion of the machinefarthest removed from the retort benches; Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe part of the machine adjacent to the retorts and to that shown inFig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a sectionon line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sec tion on line 6-6 of,Fig. 1; Fig. 7is an elevation of the feeder motor and mechanism actuated therebypartly in section;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a side elevationpartlyin section of carriage screw and mechanism to operate same; Fig.11 is a sectional view of mechanism which turns the scoops and of theautomatic switch; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of clutch mechanism foroperating the carriage screw; Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the motorand the actuating mechanism which operates the several suspensionscrews; Fig. 1i is a section of carriage on line 1 i1-'l: of Fig. 1 andon line 1-t-1at of Fig. 9; Fig. 15' is a view partlyin elevationandpartly in section'of the outer end of the scoop mechanism, the viewbeing taken on the lines a2w and y-y of Fig. 14, the section on line.z'w being shown at the left of Fig. 15, while that on section y g isshown at the right of said figure; Fig. 16 is an elevation of one of thesections and of the adjusting screw and a section on line 16-46 of Fig.6; Fig. 17 is a detail of adjusting screw; Fig. 18 is a diagrammaticview of the circuits and switches to operate hoist and travel motors;Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits and switches to operatecarriage and scoop automatic control; Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic view ofthe circuits and switches to operate the feeder trolleys 5 and suitableconductors as hereinafter setforth. Power is transmitted from said motor4 to the shaft (3 thereof whichis connected and transmits power to aworm shaft by means of a double universal joint 7. The said worm shaftmeshes with and transmits powerto the worm wheel 8 which is mounted onthe upper end of the vertically disposed shaft 9, on the lower end ofwhich is mounted the bevel wheel 10 which meshes with and transmitspower to the bevelwheel'll mounted on the axle 12 of the wheel The wormshaft is controlled by a brake (not shown, but which is similar to thatshown in Fig. 2 and hereinafter described) retained in released positionduring the activity of the solenoid 13, and said motor is operated bythe controller 1% mounted on the operating platform15. In the top of themachine extending longitudinally thereof is located a hopper-'16 adaptedto contain coal to be charged into the different retorts ashereinafterset forth. The

tically disposed screws, three of which, 17, 18, 19, are shown, screws17 and 19 being at one end of the machine and screws 18 and the screwnot shown being relatively lo-' mechanism, viz., the shaft 22 of themotoron which is mounted the spur wheel 23 which meshes with andtransmits power to the spur wheel 24 mounted on one end of the wormshaft 25. The said worm shaft 25 extends transversely of the machine,having double universal joints 25', and meshes with the worm wheel 26mounted on the vertically disposed shaft 27 which is connected to thescrew 17 by means of the single universal joint 28, the said screwoperating in a nut 29 supported in one of the girders 30 from which thecarriage track 31 is sus-.

pended by means of a ball and socket con nection or joint the mechanismbetween motor 21 and the screw 17, just described, operates the screw 17in its nut, and the power generated is transmitted through the bevelwheel 33 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 27 to the bevel wheel 31on one end of the horizontally disposed shaft 35 which extendslongitudinally ofthe machine at one side thereof, the opposite end ofthe said shaft 35 having a similar bevel wheel. 36 mounted thereon whichmeshes with a bevel wheel 37 mounted on the upper end of the shaft 38which is connected to the screw 18'by means of the single universai oint39. The said shaft 35 is DIO- vided with double universal joints 4:0 toinsure the greatest possible flexibility and to reduce the possibilityof the shaft binding to a minimum. The worm on the end of the worm shaft25 opposite to that on which the spur wheel 24: is mounted meshes with aworm wheel (similar to worm wheel 26) mountedon the upper end of shaft411 which is connected to hoisting screw 19 by a single universal joint42. The said screw 19 0pcrates in a nut 43 (similar in all respects tonut 29) supported in the side of girder 30 at the opposite end to 29,being attached thereto by means of a ball and socket joint 32. Upon theupper end of shaft 41 is mounteda bevel gear (not shown) which issimilar in all respects to bevel gear 33 mounted on shaft 27. Power istransmitted from said shaft 41 through the gearsand shaft connectionsidentical with those shown in Fig. 13, to a hoisting screw (not shown)which is in all respects similar to screws 17 and 19, and is attached tothe girder 43 in the same manner as screw 19. The worm shaft 25 iscontrolled by a brake (not shown) which is retained in released positionduring the activity of a solenoid 4A and direction of rotation of scoopcomprises two pair said motor 21, is operated by the controller 45 onthe operating platform 15.

The motor 21 and the connections therefrom to the girders as describedis for the purposeiof elevating and lowering the carriage track 31suspended from the said girders and the mechanism mounted on saidcarriage so as to bring the scoops 16, 16, mounted in the carriage 47,the wheels 48, 19, of which are adapted to travel on said track when themachine is opposite the various retorts and in position to charge coalinto and discharge coke from said retorts. Thev front ends of the scoopmembers 16 might be of any suitable construction, although they arepreferably closed so as to form an effective ram for ejecting the cokefrom the retorts. The said carriage and scoops mounted thereon is causedto travel on the track 31 by means of the following mechanism, viz Amotor 50 mounted on said track 31 transmits power to a hollow screw 51which extends the length of the machine, through the medium of a spurgear 52 mounted on the end of the motor shaft53 which gear meshes withthe spur gear 541 to transmit power to screw 51 as follows: Said gear 51is bolted to plate 55 to which is fastened the dished plate 56 by bolts57 57 which bolts serve to tighten or loosen dished spring 58, therebygoverning the pressure of plates 55 and 59 against the hub 60 which isprovided with cork inserts or friction surfaces, and is keyed to saidscrew. The gripping power of this clutch mechanism transmits sufficientpower to the screw to push the charging and discharging mechanism underall usual and normal conditions but in the event of the said mechanismencountering any obstacle which will present a greater pressure thanthat which the fric tion clutch is adapted to resist, the clutchmechanism would enable the motor shaft to rotate on the hub 60 withoutaffecting the screw. The screw is connected to the carriage by means ofthe nut 61, whereby, when the screw is actuated, the carriage andmechanism mounted thereon is caused to' travel in a direction dependentupon the the motor. The said of long troughshaped members or sections,a, b, the outer members or sections a at their rear ends being attachedto the hollow shafts 62 which are rotatably mounted in the maincad-riage casting 63, and the inner members or sections 6 being attachedto shafts 61 which are rotatably mounted in the said hollow shafts 62.The said shafts 62 are geared together, having serrations or teeth 0 forthe purpose, and are driven by power transmitted thereto from the gearwheel 65 slidably mounted on the square shaft 66. The said shaft 66 isactuated through the following mechanism, viz :A motor 67, the powershaft 68 of which has mounted thereon a spur gear 69,

' which meshes with and transmits power to the spur wheel 70 mounted onthe worm shaft 71 which extends transversely of the machine.- The saidspur wheel 70 transmits power to the worm shaft 71 which meshes with andtransmits power to the worm wheel 72 mounted on the shaft 7 3 mounted inthe casting 71, the outer end of said shaft having a crank 75 whichactuates a floating rack 76 which meshes with and operates a gear Wheel77 mounted on the shaft 78 Which is connected to the square shaft 66 bymeans of a single universal joint 79.

The outer shafts 62, 62, are caused to rotate or turn by means of themechanism just described, and the inner shafts 64, 6-1, are

carried or driven by the outer shafts, by

means of knockers 80,- 81, mounted on the outer shafts and knockers 82,83 on the inner shafts 61, at the extremities of the shafts. The saidworm shaft 71 is provided with a brake wheel 81 which is engaged by 'twobrake shoes 85, 85 which are provided with cork inserts; the said shoesare actuated by a solenoid 86. As will be understood, the individualmovements of the scoop members a and .7) are substantially rotational(the movements of the members into and out of the retort being providedby the carriage mechanism) these members, (a and b) haying substantiallytwo positions of rest in connection with this rotational movement, thesepositions being shown" more particu larly in Fig. 8 in which the membersare shown in full lines as being in what may be termed a distendedcondition, and in dotted lines in what may be termed a nested condition,the movements between these conditions being provided by the mechanismdescribed. F or instance, in passing from the full line to the dottedline position (shown in Fig. 8) using the two members a and b at theleft as an example, the general motion is counter-clockwise, the membera first mov-. ing independent of member 6 until engagement is madebetween the knockers shown in Fig. 15, at which time the two members arepractically nested; the further rotational movement carries the nestedmembers through the coal which is carried by the scoop until the nestedmembers are positioned above the charge. Similarly, the members a and Z)at the right in said Fig. 8 have their .movements in a clockwisedirection. After the scoops have been withdrawn, with the members in theinverted nested position, they are returned to distended position by areversal of these movements. The scoops being in proper position withrelation to the hopper 16, coal is delivered from said hopper, thedischarge therefrom being controlled by the upper feeder gates 87, 87and the lower feeder follows, viz: Power is transmitted from the .motor89 through the power shaft 90 to the spur gear 91 thereon, to the spurgear 92 mounted on the worm shaft 93, the worm of which meshes with andtransmits power to the worm wheel 94 mountedon shaft 95, the outer endof which has mounted thereon a crank 96, which is connected to one endof the connecting rod 97, the opposite end of said rod being attached tothe gear sector 98 which meshes with sector 99. Said sectors are mountedon shafts 100, 100, the

feeder gates 88, 88. The cam rollers 102 are mounted on slides 105 whichare operated a by hand wheel and screw 106 to regulate the size of thecharge, by controlling the opening of said gates. The coal is dischargedfrom the gates 88, 88 to the telescope 107 and from said telescope tothe scoop through gates 108, 108 which are operated byhand lever 109mounted on shaft 110, on the opposite end of which is mounted lever 111.To said lever 111 one end of connecting bar 112 is attached, theopposite end of said bar being attached -to gear sector 113, Which isconnected by shaft (not shown) to one gate 108 and which meshes withsector 114, con nected in like manner to the other gate 108; sector 113also meshes with sector 115 which is mounted on shaft 116, upon theopposite end of which similar gear sectors, driving similar gatemechanism are mounted. Upon the worm shaft 93 a brake wheel 117 ismounted which is adapted to be engaged by operates lever 217 attached toone end of shaft 218 extending longitudinally of the machine, theopposite end of said shaft has mounted thereon a knocker 219 whichengages with the levers 220 pivotally mounted on said shaft and whensaid hand rod is pulled down causes said knocker to move said levers,which pass over and engage upon pins 221 of the trolley harps, movingthe same downward and out of contact with the line Wires aforesaid. Oneof the very important features of our invention is embodied in themanner of connecting the carriage screw to the motor which drives same,

the clutch connection being suiiicient to transmit power sufiicient toactuate the carriage mechanism under usual conditions, but notsutlicient to operate the screw against unusual resistance, in whichevent the motor shaft will rotate in the hub without actuating thescrew.

The circuits which are brought from the trolleys 5, direct to circuitbreaker from which they convey current to the various motors areillustrated in Figs. 18, 19 and 20.

From the above, it will be understood that each of the main mechanismsis operated by means of independent motors, these being the travel motor4, the hoist motor 21. carriage motor 50. scoops motor (37, and thefeeder motor 89. For the purpose of providing efficient control of theoperations of these motors, we preferably employ the three phase systemof wiring in which power is delivered by three line wires, between anypair of which exists an equal voltage which will drive current through aconductor connected betweenany pair. This permits of the use ofcontrolling solenoids which are connected to be operated by any pair ofline wires. Each of the line wires must be operatively connected to amotor to operate it, and the control of the motor is by making orbreaking the circuit through any pair of these line wires. Various typesof switches are employed, as hereinafter indicated, the particularconstruction being generally of well known types and not specificallyshown herein. Each of the motors are'operated by suitable controlmechanism, all having manually operable control means, in addition towhich certain of the motors have automatic controls, by means of which apredetermined sequence of operation may be provided.

The 'arious control and operating circuits are shown diagrammatically inFigs. 18, 19 and 20, in which the motors above indicated are shown,together with the controllers and switches which are employed inconnection with the operation of the machine, Fig. 18 showing the traveland hoist control systems, Fig. 19 showing the carriage and scoopcontrol systems, and Fig. 20 the feeder control system. Fig. 19 alsodiscloses certain solenoid operated reversing switches, these beingindicated at 168 and 187, these switches acting to make and break theline connections and reverse them through the operation of separatesolenoids. Fig. 20 also shows a solenoid operated make and break switch210.

The manual controllers for the various circuits are indicated as(travel) 14:, (hoist) 15, (carriage manual) 163, (scoop manual) 199, and(feeder manual) 5205. In addition, automatic controls are shown at 149(Fig.

19) which controls the scoop dumping and' righting operation, and at159, 160, 161 and 162 (Fig. 19) the latter showing make and breakdevices which are individually automatically manipulated in apredetern'iined sequence by the travel of the carriage, these latterautomatics acting as timing elements in the general operation.

The carriage manual controller 163 differs from the controllers 199 and205 in that it is automatically locked in moving in the direction toclose the carriage forward circuit, this locked condition being rel asedautomatically by the operation of a solenoid 178 as presently described.

The automatic switch 149 is operated by the scoop motor, while the makeand break devices 159. 160, 161 and 162 are operated by the travel of awheel 48 of the carriage, switch 161 being a make and break switchhaving its circuit break movements automatic while the other threeswitches have their make and break movements by the operation of wheel48. Switch 213 is a switch controlled by movements of the motor 89.

The switch'136 (Fig. 18) is a suitable make and break switch mounted inthe hoist and travel circuits, the switch operating in connection withone line of the t'avel circuit and in connection with two lines of thehoist circuit. This switch is a safety switch to prevent movements ofthe hoist instrumentality beyond proper limits in either directioninorder that damage to the equipment willbe prevented under the negligenceof the operator. This switch is normally closed, but operates to breakthe circuit by the following mechanism, the switch being mounted on thegirder 39: An

arm 137 has its extreme outer end pivoted to switch frame 138, theopposite end of said arm being adapted to engage the upper end of anotched lever 139 fastened to the switch frame 138. The lower end ofsaid notched lever is provided with a roller which engages knockers 140,these knockers being secured to the frame of the machine at spaced-apartpoints equal to the working stroke of the hoist. The arm'137 is providedwith a handle 141, and has its lower side provided with plungers adaptedto contact with four fingers (indicated at 119, 120, 142 and 143 in Fig.18) of the switch 136. The arm 137 is held in contact with notched lever139 by means of a spiral spring. It will be obvious that during thevertical hoist operations, the roller of the notched lever may engageone or the other of the knockers 140, depending upon the position in thehoist stroke; this engagement releases the lever from engagement with"the arm 137, whereupon the spring cooperating, with said arm acts tothrow the arm 137 backward, which movement in turn carries the plungersout of contact with the fingers of the switch, breaking the circuit oftwo of the line wires of the hoist mechanism. As one of these line wiresis also a part of the travel circuit, this breaking at this point willprevent movement of the travel motor as well.

Switch 144 (Fig. 18) operates entirely in the hoisting circuit, itsobject being to prevent hoisting operations when the telescope gates108, 108 are closed, at which time the chute formed of the telescopesections 107 carries a charge of coal. If the hoist instrumentality wasoperated at this time, damage to the equipment would be possible. Thisswitch is controlled by the position of lever v109, the connectionsbetween switch and lever being provided with a plunger 145 which isadapted to swing into contact engagement with contacts. 146 and 147 ofthe switch 144 when the lever is at its extreme rear position with thegates 108 open. In this position the one switch controls is closed andpermits operation of the hoist motor through manipulation of the hoistcontroller 45; when the lever is out of this position, the contactengagement of the plunger 145 with-contacts 146 and 147 is broken, thuscutting one of the lines to the hoist motor.

The switch indicated at 148 (Fig. 18) which may be termed a hoist andtravel safety switch, is a make and break device in one of the lines ofboth hoist and travel circuits. This switch is controlled by themovements of the carriage, the latter carrying an arm 150 which isadapted to provide contact engagement with the fingers 121 and 122 whenthe carriage is in its rear position, at which time the scoops are intheir rear positions, and the travel or hoist operations may take placewithout damaging the equipment. \Vhen the carriage begins its forwardmovement, it withdraws the arm 150 out of contact with the fingers andthus automatically breaks both travel and hoist circuits and preventsoperation of these motors, the circuits remaining broken during theforward and return movements of the carriage, being closed only when thecarriage reaches the rear position.

The controller 45 is a reversing controller operated by movements inopposite directions. The controller 14 is similarly 0perated but carriesadditional contacts which are adapted to throw into and out of circuit aresistance element V which is connected up with three commutator rings130, 131 and 132 mounted on the motor shaft, this resistance element andits circuit serving to provide for different speeds of the travel"motors. When the element 'V is active (through the non-closing ofcontacts in the controller 14) the motor will run at slow speed, while amovement of the controllerto short circuit this resistance circuit inthe controller 14 will cut out the resistance element and provide forthe motor running at high speed.

lead wire which this the motor the lines from the lead lines A and C toThe travel of the machine is under the control of controller 14 throughthe following circuits, it being understood that the movement of thecontroller in one direction will cause the motor to travel in onedirection, a reversal of the direction of movement of the controller.causing a corresponding change in the direction of movement of the motor4. 1

Assuming the controller 14 to be moved toward the left in Fig. 18, withswitches 136 and 148 closed, the lines to the motor 4 will be asfollows: From lead line A- to the fingers 119 and 120 of switch 136, tofingers 121 and 122 of switch 148, to point 123, contact point 124,through the bridge connection to contact point 125, to point 126 of themotor; lead line B runs direct to the point B of the motor; lead line Bruns direct to the point B of the motor; lead line C to contact point127 through bridge connection to contact point, 128, to point 129 on themotor. If the movement of the controller has been but a single notch,the connections thus described will provide slow speed to 4, theresistance element V being in circuit. If the controller be moved another notch in the same direction, the resistance element will be shortcircuited through the movement of the bridging members into contact withthe contact points 133, 134 and 135, thus providing a running of themotor at high speed. If the controller 14 is moved in the oppositedirection from the neutral, viz., toward the right in Fig. 18, the motorwill be reversed, lead line A running to contact point 124 as before,but in this position cooperating with a different bridge connectionwhich connects contact point 124 with point 128, which leads to thepoint 129 on motor 4, while lead line C,after passing to contact point127 as before, engages with a. different bridging connection whichconnects point 127 with contact point 125, and thus leads to point 126on the motor, reversing lines A and C, line B leading direct to themotor. If this movement is continued another notch, the resistanceelement V is then short-circuited, changing the speed of the motor fromthe slowspeed of the first notch. This provides a manual control of theoperation of the motor 4 and provides for travel of the charging machinebackward and forward in front 'of the retorts under the control of theoperator. However, this travel is possible only when the mechanisms ofthe charging machine are in proper position, the lead line A beingprovided at two separate points with switch cut-outs (136 and 148),either of which will act to break the connection of this lead line withthe motor and prevent its operation.

The circuit of the hoisting motor is controlled by the manual controller45, this iac operating circuit being arranged to provide for reversal ofthe direction of the movement of the motor at will. The several lines tothe motor from lead lines A, B and C are as follows, it being assumedthat the three switches 136, 145 and 148 are closed from.

lead line A through contact fingers 119 and 120 of switch 136, contactfingers 121 and 122 of switch 148, point 123, points 146 and 147 ofswitch 144:, to contact point 151; lead line 13 leads direct to motor 21at point 154;;

-- while lead line C leads to the fingers 143 and 142 of switch 136 tocontact point 155 of the controller. If the controller is moved in thedirection corresponding with a movement to the left in Fig. 18, leadline A willbe connected with contact point 152 through a bridgingconnection from where it leads to oint 153 of the motor; similarly, leadline C will lead to contact point 156 through a bridging connection fromwhere it passes to, point 157 of the motor. Ifthe direction of movementof the controller corresponds to 'a movement toward the right in. Fig.18, lead line A will be connected with contact point 156 through thebridging connection and from there to point 157 of'the motor; while lineC will be connected to contact point 152 through the bridging connectionand thence to point 153 on the motor, thus reversing the connection ofthe lead lines A and C.

, these is open by reason of the improper positioning of parts, thecircuit to the hoist motor cannot be completed and no hoist operation ispossible Fig. '19 shows a'wiring'diagram of the circuits operating inconnection with the carriage and scoop motors 50 and 67 respectively.and in timed relationship, providing a cycle of operations which coverthe operation of the two charging mechanisms, viz., the carriagemechanism and the scoop mechanism.

Q direction,

The start of operation of this cycle is controlled by the operatorthrough manipulation of the carriage controller 163,. this lat beingprovided with a suitable latch mechanism which becomes operative by themovement of the handle of the controller in one the direction ofmovement in Fig. 19 being toward the right, the locking action takingplace when the handle has moved a distance sufficient to connect thecontact points 164 and 165 by the bridging connection operated by thehandle. The handle is contact point 165, point point 169, point 170, tolead line B. This being held closed as long as inefi'ective at thistime. continues its forward movement, the wheel These motors Operateintermittently -48 reaches and closes switch 161 (which is .noid 167 andthus released and automatically returned by the tripping of the lockingmechanism through energizing of solenoid 178 as presently described.

Assuming the charging machine to be properly lined up in front of theretort 'ready for the charging operation, both motors 50 and 67 beinginactive, the sequence of operation through the cycle, and the variousconnections with the lead lines A, B and C are as follows: lead line Abeing connected direct to the motors, the various changes being providedin lead lines B and C. The first operation in the cycle is the forwardmovement of the carriage, and this movement is inaugurated by themovement of the handle of switch 163 toward the right, inv whichposition it is latched. At this'time, each of the switches 160, 161 and.162 is open, 159 is closed and the fingers of the automatic switch 149are in the position indicated as scoops aright.

The movement of the handle of switch 163 toward the right begins theoperation of the motor 50 to move the carriage forward by energizingsolenoid 167 as follows :lead line A to contact point 164, controller163, 166, solenoid 167,

energizing of solenoid 167 results in closing the switch 168 in adirection to cause the motor 50 to rotate in the proper direction to Imove the carriage forward, this switch 168 the solenoid167 is beingenergized. This action begins the forward movement of the carriage, hasthe'eifect of'- opening the switch 148 (Fig. 18), (which had been closedat the end of the previous return movement of the carriage) is opened bytravels forward, the wheel 48 contacts with and closes switch 160, butas ,the circuit through this switch is broken in the automatic switch149, the closing of switch 160 is As the carriage an automatic returnswitch). The closing of switch 161 has the effect of energizing and thusand at the same time, switch 159 wheel 48. As the carriage solenoid 178as follows :from lead line A to point 164, solenoid 178, point 177,contact points 176 and 175 of switch 161, to line C, the energizing ofsolenoid 178 acting to trip the locking mechanism of the controller 163which then returns to its neutral position, breaking the circuitthroughsolebreakingthe motor circuit at switch 168. As the switch 161 is anautomatic return switch, its action is short,

the switch breaking the circuit as soon as the wheel 18 passesout ofcontact. ;This

stops the motor 50, and the carriage coasts through the remainder of itstravel to its carriage forward positlon. When the carturn movement.

riage reaches this position, the wheel 48 operates switch 162 to closethe circuit in that switch, whereupon the circuit for the scoop motor isautomatically completed as follows; (it being understood that the automatic switch 149 has been held stationary during these describedoperations, this switch operating only when the scoop motor itselfoperates) :from lead line A to the bar 173 of automatic switch 149, tobar 180, contacts 181 and 182 of switch 162, point 183, point 184,point185, to solenoid 186,- point 188, point 189 to lead line B, thusenergizing solenoid 186 which in turn closes the switch .187 to startthe movement of the scoop motor 67 in the direction to dump the scoops,this movement continuin until contact is broken between bars 173 and ofautomaticswitch 149 by the travel of the automatic switch, thus breakingthe circuit throughswitch 162 and solenoid 186, the result being thatthe motor 67 stops its movement, leaving the scoops in inverted positionwith the chargedumped into the retort. I

At the time of breaking the circuit through the scoop motor, theautomatic switch 149 has brought bars 174 and 190 into connection withbar 173, the result being the, establishment of a circuit through switch160 and the closing of the circuit to motor 50 to cause it to move inthe opposite direction to return the carriage, this circuit beingcompleted in the following manner: from lead .line A to bar 173, bar190, contact points 191 and 192 of switch 160, point 193, point 194,solenoid 195, point 169, point 170 to lead li-ne B, thus energizingsolenoid 195 which operates switch 168 to provide the proper lineconnections of lead lines Band C to the motor 50 to provide the returnmovement of the carriage. While bar 174- is also brought into operationat this time,

switch 159 is open so that the circuit, of I which the bar 174 is apart, is broken. As the carriage begins its return movement, it opensswitch 162 through ,the action of wheel 48, reaches switch 161 and temporarily closes this switch without effect (the locking mechanism ofcontroller 163 not being active), finally reaching and opening switch160, the switch which started the re The effect of this is to break theenergizing circuit of solenoid 195 and open switch 168 to stop themovements of motor 50. The carriage then coasts to its rear position,the wheel 48 acting to close switch 159, the closing of which effects anenergizing of solenoid 186 through a cir-' cuit running'from'lead line Ato'bar 173, bar 174, contacts 196 and 1970f switch 159, point 183, point184, point185, solenoid 186, v point 188, point 189 to lead line B. .Theenergizing of this circuit again closes the circuit to motor 67 whichhas the effect of again starting theturning movement of the scoops toplace them in their a right position, the movement of motor 67continuing the movement of switch 149 until the finger of bar 174 coastsoil of thatbar, wherel starting position for the next operation, alsoleaving switch 159 closed. This closes the cycle of charging operations,during which the successive operations were brought into activity intimed relation and without manipulation of the operator other than theinitial movement of the switch 163'.

Provision is made for providing an operation of the motor 50, to returnthe carriage at the will of the operator by the controller 163 which,ifmoved in the opposite direction (to the left in Fig. 19) willbridgecontact points 164 and 198 and thus energize solenoid 195 from leadlineA to contact point 164, through the bridging connection of thecontroller to contact point 198, point 193, point 194,- solenoid195,point 169, point- 170, to leadline B, thus closing the switch 168 tocause the motor to travel in a direction which will provide a returnmovement to the carriage. This provision acts somewhat as a safety oremergency device in per?- mittin'g the carriage to be returned beforereaching the end of its forward movement, thus reducing the liability ofdamage to the equipment in case of accident. Provision is also made forproviding manual controller operation of the scoop motor, throughcontroller 199. If the handle of this controller be moved toward theright in Fig. 19, a circuit will be'completed through solenoid 186 fromline A to contact point 200, through bridging connection of controller199 to contact point 201, point 185, solenoid 186, point 188, point 189,to line B, thus energizing solenoid 186 and closing switch 187 to drivethe motor in the direction normally einployed in the scoop operation.Should any condition arise which. would require a reversal in thedirection of rotation of motor 67, a movement of the handle of switch199 toward the left would have the eiiect of completing a circuit toenergize solenoid 204, the circuit running from lead line A, contactpoint 200, through the bridging connection of controller 199 to contactpoint 202, to point 203, solenoid 204, point 188,

point 189, to line B, the energizing of solenoid 204 reversing theconnections to motor 67 in the switch 187, and thus causing this motorto rotate in the reverse direction. 3

Solenoids 86 and'171 are energized when the motor circuits arecompleted, and'like previously referred to solenoids, act to re} leasethe brakes which are provided in connection with the respective motors.

and

The controlling and operating circuits for i the feeder motor are shownin Fig. 20. This motor operates only in one direction, consequently, thecontroller for this motor indicated at 205,. has but two contact points206 and 207 which when bridged by the movement of the controller,act toconnect lead anism as heretofore pointed out. The period of activity ofthe-motor 89 is controlled by the length of time the solenoid 209remains energized. This period is controlled by the combined action ofthe controller 205 and switch 213, the latter being operated by themotor 89, and being arranged to become active after the motor 89 hasstarted its operation, the controller 205 being held in itscircuit-making position a sufficient length of time to bridge the breakwhich is provided between the initial starting of the motor and ,and thetime when the switch is brought into operation. The switch takes up theenergizing of solenoid 209 started by manipulation of the controller205, and the close of the energizing period is controlled entirely bythe switch. Solenoid 118 acts, like previously described solenoids torelease the brake for the feeder mechanism during the period that themotor circuit is active.

From the above description, it will be understood that each of theprincipal mecha nisms is operated by an independent motor with the motoroperations controlled independently either manually or automatically orby acombination of both. For instance,

the travel, the hoist, the charging (as an en- 7 tirety), and the feederoperations are each brought into action at the will of the operator,subject to certain limitations in the way of protective devices, theprincipal of which is that provided by the hoist and travel safetyswitch 148 which prevents movements of the apparatus at a time when suchmovement would result in damage to the retort house equipment. On thecontrary, the op-' erations of'the several mechanisms which provide thecharging operations are under automatic control (excepting the emergencyoperationprovided by the movement of the controller 163 toward the leftin Fig. 19), this control providing a fixed sequence of operationsbrought into activity through simple and efficient control mechanism,the

effect of which is to provide the successive Furthermore, this automaticcontrol elimi nates any liability of error in control manipulation bythe operator, thesequence of operations not being provided at will byindividual control mechanism, the operator simplv starting the operationwhich is automatically continued through these automatic controls.

What we claim is 1. In combination, a travel circuit, a retort-chargingmachine A having traction means operated from such travel circuit andalso having a charging mechanism, and a make and break device-forcontrolling the making and breaking of said circuit by the movements ofsaid mechanism.

2. In combination, a travel circuit, a traveling charging machineoperated from such travel circuit and adapted to travel to and from aretort and to charge it when in charging position, said machine having acharging mechanism, and a make and break device controlled by saidmechanism, said device opperating to break the travel circuit during theretort-charging movements of said mechanism.

3. In combination, a traveling retortcharging machine having amotor-operated hoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of saidmechanism, and an automatic make and break device carried by and movablewith said machine and operative to make and break the hoist motorcircuit for determining the period of time during which said mechanismmay be operated.

el. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mecha- 'erated travel mechanism for said machine, a

manual travel control for said mechanism, a motor-operated holstmechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism, an independentmanual control for the hoist motor circuit, and a make and break devicein said circuit independent of the manual control for limiting thetravel movements of said hoist mechanism.

6. In combination, a machine for charging and discharging gas retort-s.motor-operated travel mechanism for said machine, a manual travelcontrol for said mechanism. a motor-operated hoist mechanism, a circuitfor the motor of said mechanism, an independent manual control for thehoist motor circuit, a make and. break device in said circuitindependent of the manual control for limiting the travel movements ofsaid hoist mechanism, and means in the path of travel of the mechanismfor rendering the device active to break the circuit.

7. In combination, retort-charging machine having a motor-operated hoistmechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism. a manual controlfor said circuit. and independentmake and break devices carried by andmovable with said machine and oprative to make and break the hoist motorcircuit for determining the period of time during which said mechanismmay be operated and for limiting the travel'nioveincnts of themechanism.

8. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism. a chargingmechanism adapted to receive. the charge, means for delivering a chargeto said charging mechanism at Will, and a make and break device forbreaking said motor circuit when said means is in a predeterminedposition.

In combination, a retort-charging Inachine having a motor-operated hoistmechanism. a circuit for the motor of said mechanism,.chargingmechanism. a controllable telescoping charge conduit leading to saidcharging mechanism, the travel of the hoist mechanism controlling thetelescoping action of said conduit and a make and break device forbreaking said motor circuit When a charge is positioned within theconduit.

10. In. combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mecha- -nism, acharging mechanism adapted to rcccive the charge, means for delivering acharge to said charging mechanism at will, and a make and break devicefor breaking said motor circuit when said means is in a predeterminedposition, said make and break device being controlled by said means.

11. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism, chargingmechanism, a controllable charge conduit leading to said charging"mechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in the conduit, and amake and break device in the motor circuit adapted to retain the circuitclosed when said conduit is open. and to break the circuit during theclosure of the conduit.

12. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechamechanism when said first-mentioned device is closing thecircuit.

13. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism, chargingmechanism, a controllable charge conduit leading to said chargingmechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in the conduit, a makeand break device in the motor circuit adapted to retain the circuitclosed when said conduit is open and to break the circuit during theclosure of the conduit, and an additional make and break device in saidcircuit for determining the period of time during which said hoistmechanism may be operated when said first mentioned device is closingthe circuit.

14. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mechanism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism, chargingmechanism, a controllable charge conduit leading to. said chargingmechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in the conduit, a makeand break device in the motor circuit adapted to retain the circuitclosed when said conduit is open and to break the circuit duringthe'closure of the conduit, and an additional make and break device insaid circuit for determining the period of time during which said hoistmechanism may be operated when said first mentioned device is closingthe. circuit, said latter device being controlled by the charg- .ingmechanism.

15. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedhoist mecha nism, a circuit for the motor of said mechanism, chargingmechanism, a controllable charge conduit leading to said chargingmechanism for temporarily retaining the charge'in the conduit, a makeand break device iu the motor circuit adapted to retain the circuitclosed when said conduit is open and to break the circuit during theclosure of the conduit, an additional make and break device in saidcircuit for determining the period of time during which said hoistanism,

mechanism may 'which either of said mechanisms may FAQ? a travelcircuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism with its circuit, and a makeand break device carried by and movable with said machine,and operativein and controlling the making and breaking of both circuits to determinethe period of time during which either of said mechanisms may beoperated,

and charging mechanism adapted to control said device.

18. In combination, a retort-charging ma chine having traction meansoperated from a travel circuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism withits circuit, a make and break device carried by and movable With saidmachine and operative in and controlling the making and breaking of bothcircuits to determine the period of time during which the traction meansand the hoist mechanism may be operated, and an additional make andbreak device in and controlling the making and breaking of the hoistcircuit for automatically limiting the length of the travel movements ofsaidhoist mechanism.

e 19. In combination, a retort-charging machine having traction meansoperated from a travel circuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism withits circuit, a make and break device carried by and movablewith saidmachine and operative in and controlling the making and breaking of bothcir cuits to determine the period of time during which the tractionmeans and the hoist mechanism may be operated, and an additional makeand break device in and controlling the making and breaking of the hoistcircuit for automatically limiting the length of the travel movements ofsaid hoist mechanism, and charging mechanism adapted to control saidfirst mentioned device.

20. In combination, a retort-charging machine having traction meansoperated from a travel circuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism withits circuit, charging mecha controllable charge conduit leading to saidcharging mechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in the conduit,a make and break device operative in both circuits to determine theperiod of time during which the traction means and thehoist be operated,and an additional make and break device in the hoist circuit adapted tocontrol said hoist circuit anisms; move the carriage when uninterruptedby said first-mentioned device.

21. In combination, a retort-charging machine having traction meansoperated from a travel circuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism withits circuit, charging mechanism, a controllable charge conduit leadingto said charging mechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in theconduit, a make and break device operative in both circuits to determinethe period of time during which the traction means and the hoistmechanism may be operated, and an additional make and break device inthe hoist circuit adapted to control said hoist circuit whenuninterrupted by said first-mentioned device, said first-mentioneddevice being controlled by the charging mechanism.

22. In combination, a retort-charging machine having traction meansoperated from a travel circuit, a motor-operated hoist mechanism withits circuit, charging mechanism, a controllable charge conduit leadingto said charging mechanism for temporarily retaining the charge in theconduit, a make and break device operative in both circuits to determinethe period of time during which the traction means and the hoistmechanism .may be operated, an additional make and break device inth'ehoist circuit adapted to control said hoist circuit when uninterruptedby said first-mentioned device, said secondmentioned device beingadapted to retain the circuit closed When said conduit is open and tobreak the circuit during the closure of the conduit, and a. deviceoperative in both circuits for limiting the length of the hoistmechanism.

23. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor. operatedcarriage mechanism, mechanism, circuits for the motors of saidmechanisms, and make and break devices in said circuits forautomatically controlling the operations of said motors to provide thefollowing successive operations of the mechforward to position the scoopin the retort, invert the scoops to dump the charge, return the carriagewith the scoops inverted, and aright the scoops when the carriage hasreturned.

24. In combination, chine having a motoroperated carriage 'mechanism,and. a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits for the motors of saidmechanisms, make and break devices in said circuits for automaticallycontrolling the operations of said motors to provide the followingsuccessive operations of the mechanisms: move the carriage forward toposition the scoop in the retort, invert the scoops to dump the charge,return the carriagewith the scoops inverted, and aright the scoops whenthe carriage has returned,

third make and break a retort-charging ma- I travel movements of the anda motor operated scoop and a manual controller for beginnlng thesequence of operations at will.

25. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits forthe motors of sa d mechanisms, and make andbreak devices 111 saidcircuits for automatically controlling the operations of said motors toprovide the following successive operations of the mechanismsi move thecarriage forward to position the scoop in the retort, invert the scoopsto dump thecharge, return the carriage with the scoops inverted, andaright the scoops when the carriage hasj'returned, said devicesrendering a motor active during the inactivity of the other motor.

26. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits forthe motors of said mechanisms, and make and break devices in saidcircuits for automatically controlling the operations of said motors toprovide the following successive operation of the mechanisms: move thecarriage forward to position the scoop in the retort, invert the scoopsto dump the charge, return the carriage with the scoops inverted, anda'right the scoops when the carriage has returned, said devicesrendering a motor active during the inactivity of the other motor, thedevices for controlling the beginning of activity of the scoop motorbeing operated in sequence by the travel of the carriage mechanism. v

' 27. In combination, a retort-charging ma chine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor operated scoopmechanism, circuits for themotors of said mechanisms,-and make and break devicesin said circuitsfor automatically controlling the operations of said motors to providethe following successive operations of the mechanisms: move the carriageforward to position the scoop in the retort, invert the scoops to dumpthe charge, return the carriage with the scoops inverted,and aright thescoops when the carriage has returned,- said devices rendering a motoractive during the 1nactivity of the other'motor, the devices forcontrolling the beginning of activity of the scoop motor being operatedin sequence .by Y the travel of the carriage mechanism, thev length ofscoop motor activity being controlled by the operations of that motor.

'28. In combination, a retort-charging machine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits forthe motors. of said mechanisms, and make and break devices in saidcircuits for automatically controlling the operation of-said motors toprovide the following successive operations'of the mechanisms: move thecarriage forward to'position the scoop in the retort, invert the scoopsto dump the charge, return the carriage with the scoops inverted, andaright the scoops when the carriage has returned, said devices renderinga motor active during the inactivity of the other motor, the time ofclosing of the carriage motor circuit for the carriage return trayelbeing controlled by movements of the scoop motor. I

29. In combination, a retort-charging chine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits forthe motors of said mechanisms, and make and break devices in saidcircuit for automatically controllii the operations of said motors toprovide t 1;: followingsuccessive operations of the mech anisms: movethe carriage forward to post tion the scoop inthe retort, invert thescoops to dump the charge, return the carria with the scoops inverted,and aright the scoops when the carriage has returned, aid devicesrendering a motor active during the inactivity of the other motor, thetime of closing of the carriage motor circuit for the carriage returntravel being controlled by movements of the scoop motor, and a manualcontrol device for closing said circuit to begin'the carriage forwardmovement.

30. In comblnation, a retort-charging ma chine having a motor-operatedcarriage mechanism and a motor-operated scoop mechanism, circuits forthe'motors of said mechanisms, and make and break devices in saidcircuits for automatically controlling the operations of said motors toprovide the following successive operations of the mechanisms: move thecarriage forward to position the-scoop in the retort, invert the scoopsto dump the charge, return the carriage with the 'scoops inverted, andaright the scoops when the carriage has returned, said devices renderinga motor active during the inactivity of the other motor, the time ofclos ing of the carriage motor circuit for the can riage return travelbeing controlled by more 'mechanism and a motor-operated scoopmechanism, circuits for the motors of said mechanisms, make and breakdevices in aid circuits for automatically controlling the operations ofsaid motors to provide the following successive operations of themechanisms: move the carriage forward to position the scoop in theretort, invert the scoops to dump the charge, return the carriage withthe scoops inverted, and aright the scoops when the carriage hasreturned, and

manual controller for beginning the sequence

